Capital Nature

(VA) (Friends of Dyke Marsh) Join FODM for a bird walk every Sunday at 8 a.m. The Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is a freshwater, tidal marsh on the Virginia side of the Potomac River in Fairfax County. It is a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, U.S. National Park Service.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Kayaking is even more fun that it looks! Come learn how to paddle on flat water in recreational solo kayaks on Little Seneca Lake. Learn basic strokes, entries and exits, boat control, and more, taught by certified American Canoe Association instructors. We won’t roll, but you’ll get wet, so dress accordingly. All necessary equipment provided but if ...

(DC) (US Botanic Garden) In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the U.S. Botanic Garden will bloom with the flowers each U.S. state and territory has chosen as their official flower. Explore the display throughout the Garden that will showcase the state and territory flowers with living plants, artistic displays, botanical illustrations, and herbarium specimens. Associated educational programs will be offered throughout ...

(DC) (DC Trail Rangers) Meet up with the DC Trail Rangers at the Capitol Heights Metro Station for a bike ride to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Lotus Festival. Ride the scenic Marvin Gaye Trail that runs along Watts Branch Creek then hop over the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, head north up to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Learn how to be great trail ...

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Weed Warrior Leader, Kathy Sykes for this invasive plant removal restoration event in Rock Creek Park. Invasive plants are a major threat to our fragile forests, and stopping their spread helps allow native plants to thrive in the understory.

(VA) (Friends of Huntley Meadows) The Monday Morning Bird Walk is sponsored by the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park and takes place every Monday at 7 a.m. April through September. Following the walk, members of the group gather at the nearby Denny’s for breakfast and to compile the morning’s bird list. All are welcome.  

(DC) (National Park Service) We invite you to join National Park Service volunteer and expert birder Molly Hermann for an engaging bird walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This event is open to all, including those new to birding. We encourage participants to bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars if available. A limited number of binoculars are available for loan with a photo ID. ...

(DC) (Hillwood) Part of the magic of Hillwood is the constantly changing seasonal plant displays. Each season features new and exciting plants in unique combinations. Join Jessica Bonilla, director of horticulture, to explore the summer displays and learn about the design process of creating this planting, including first-hand stories of practical gardening lessons. Tickets are distributed at the Ellen MacNeille ...

(MD) (Maryland Native Plant Society) Sustainable native planting means choosing species that are suited to both current and future climates. In a world that is rapidly changing, many native species are not keeping pace, potentially putting ecological communities at risk. In this session, we'll discuss larger trends in plant migrations related to climate change and explore emerging research about how ...

(DC) (Friends of the National Arboretum) Experience the calming power of nature at an evening yoga class at the National Arboretum. This event is part of FONA’s Wellness Wednesday series, hosted all summer long during summer evening hours. Certified instructors from Bikram Yoga Works will lead a 60 minute FLEX’T™ yoga class that will help you unlock your fascia to ...

(DC) (Capital Nature) July is peak season for bat activity in the DC area. Join Capital Nature, DC Master Naturalists, and wildlife biologist Kelly Russo-Petrick for a virtual program on the fascinating lives of local bats. Hear what species make their summer homes here and where they go in winter. Find out about their important role in local ecosystems. Learn ...

(DC) (National Park Service) Do you want to connect with nature but you’re not sure how to get started? Do you want to be more present outside and escape the distractions of the modern era? Take a junior naturalist hike with a ranger and learn how to observe and study the natural world around you as you hike between ½ ...

(DC) (National Park Service) During this ½ mile excursion, young explorers learn the hiking essentials, such as trail safety, what to wear or bring to a hike, and how to Recreate Responsibly all while looking at and respecting nature found in our woodlands.  This ranger-led hike is intended to create treasured trail experiences for families interested in planning more advance hikes as ...

(DC) (National Park Service) Join a Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Ranger for a talk about the park! The talk will cover the history of the park, the waterlillies and lotuses that are grown in the ponds, and the importance of the marshes that are connected to the ponds. Meet the ranger in front of the visitor center where the talk will ...

(DC) (US Botanic Garden) College and university botanic gardens are key to plant conservation. They increase our capacity to solve the grand challenges of the next century, including climate change, sustainability, and conservation of threatened species. Join garden directors Damon Waitt and Susan Pell as they explore how The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the North Carolina ...

(DC) (Hillwood) Part of the magic of Hillwood is the constantly changing seasonal plant displays. Each season features new and exciting plants in unique combinations. Join Jessica Bonilla, director of horticulture, to explore the summer displays and learn about the design process of creating this planting, including first-hand stories of practical gardening lessons. Tickets are distributed at the Ellen MacNeille ...

(DC) (National Park Service) Join us for a morning of stewardship volunteering at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens! Participate in a variety of park stewardship activities including invasive plant removal, litter collection, flower bed weeding, trail maintenance and more. All necessary tools and supplies will be provided.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) A world of wonder takes flight as Montgomery Parks’ popular Butterfly Experience returns to Brookside Gardens. Visitors will be surrounded by hundreds of brilliant butterflies from the Americas, Africa, and Asia as they flutter among vibrant, lush tropical blooms. This intimate experience offers rare, up-close encounters while trained staff and volunteers highlight the stages of metamorphosis, the ...

(DC) (Casey Trees) Join Soul Trak and Casey Trees for a guided exploration of Washington DC’s urban forest along the George Washington Carver and Fort Circle Trail. Nature Every Month is Soul Trak’s year-round series dedicated to getting people outdoors and connected to nature in and around DC. No experience necessary — just show up ready to explore.

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Tiny Tot programs provide opportunities to interact one-on-one with your child while discovering the wonders of nature. Each program will engage your child with hands-on learning and may include a variety of activities like songs, games, crafts, and mini-hikes. Tiny Tot programs are offered throughout the year at Gulf and Long Branch Nature Centers. Each program has ...

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Weed Warrior Leader, Kathy Sykes for this invasive plant removal restoration event in Rock Creek Park. Invasive plants are a major threat to our fragile forests, and stopping their spread helps allow native plants to thrive in the understory.

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Stream Team Leader Keith Krosinsky for a litter removal restoration event in Rock Creek Park. Trash is the visible form of stormwater pollution, a major threat to water quality and park health and its removal makes the parklands cleaner, safer, and more beautiful for all.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Take a stroll along the trails to find fairy houses hidden among the trees. Once you’ve reached the end of the trail, create a fairy house of your own to invite more magical creatures to Meadowside!

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Watch our Eastern box turtle stretch their legs in their outdoor enclosure! Learn about the big role they play in our forests and communities. All ages.